The Ordinary Waiting Period is a non-payment period of 1 week. Currently, new claimants of Newstart Allowance and Sickness Allowance must wait 1 week before they start receiving payments—unless the claimant is exempt or the waiting period is waived.

In addition, the current rules will be changed so the Ordinary Waiting Period is served after other waiting periods and the current rule that allows the Ordinary Waiting Period to be waived due to severe financial hardship will be tightened.